afnemerstype

Afnemerstype is a term used in the Dutch energy and utility sector to designate a category of end users (afnemers) for administrative, billing, and regulatory purposes. The concept helps market participants segment customers and apply appropriate tariffs, metering rules, and reporting requirements.

In practice, an afnemerstype is a classification assigned to a customer by a supplier, grid operator, or market regulator. The exact categories and codes vary by organization and over time, but typical distinctions include residential consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises, large non-residential users, agricultural users, and public sector entities. Some schemes also differentiate by tariff or metering arrangement, such as customers with smart meters or time-of-use tariffs.

Uses include price calculation, eligibility for specific tariffs, allocation of network charges, and data exchange in business-to-business processes. Afnemerstype is stored in customer information systems and included in exchange messages between suppliers, network operators, and regulators.

Limitations: because it is a sector-specific concept, the precise meaning of afnemerstype can differ between markets and even between companies within the same market. It is therefore important to consult the local documentation or regulatory guidelines to interpret a given afnemerstype code correctly.

See also: afnemer, tarief, metering, data standardization.